Leveling kits and travel trailers

I've never worked in a front end shop, but yeah, 1 degree does sound significant and measureable, to me. I have no explanation otherwise why the rack didn't see a difference. However, physics can't be ignored, the camber angle HAS to change, when the truck is rotating about it's axle centerline... I guess it's one of those mysteries that we'll never know why?

I have a photobucket account, and coincidentally, I was actually logged into mine with the window open when I clicked on your video. However, my computer doesn't use a conventional Windows or Mac operating system, so maybe that's why it didn't work... :(

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
The video didn't work for me. Could be my computer.

Using a total vertical height change of 6" (2" front lift and 4" rear sag) and a wheelbase length of 160", the change in angle of truck is ~1 degree (cosine of angle is 6 divided by 160 = ~0.0375, which is 0.999 degree). If angle of truck changes by 1 degree, caster angle also changes by 1 degree, assuming the axle is traveling in a relatively straight line vertically.

Possibly the alignment machine doesn't recognize the change because the change is too small?

1 degree is quite a bit in a caster adjustment. I know, it blew me away too.

You have to have a photobucket account to see the video.

The video didn't work for me. Could be my computer.

Using a total vertical height change of 6" (2" front lift and 4" rear sag) and a wheelbase length of 160", the change in angle of truck is ~1 degree (cosine of angle is 6 divided by 160 = ~0.0375, which is 0.999 degree). If angle of truck changes by 1 degree, caster angle also changes by 1 degree, assuming the axle is traveling in a relatively straight line vertically.

Possibly the alignment machine doesn't recognize the change because the change is too small?

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
With the loaded rear squat, plus the raised front, the caster angle is changed, as compared to stock height front and unloaded rear. As caster angle changes, steering is affected.

You should have the front end realigned after the lift is put in, and with weight loaded in the rear.

If this works it's a short video of when I just finished installing the bed back on my 2005. Keep in mind I still had the factory shocks on so it limited the full travel going up but you get the picture of how much travel there is and would think it would change the caster angle on the rack but it didn't.

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
With the loaded rear squat, plus the raised front, the caster angle is changed, as compared to stock height front and unloaded rear. As caster angle changes, steering is affected.

You should have the front end realigned after the lift is put in, and with weight loaded in the rear.

You know, I had the same theory but I did a test with my 2005 Ram. I have a 4-link rear suspension riding on air springs and I can lower the rear 4" below and raise it 4" above stock ride height. I also have a 2 1/2" level kit in the front. I put it on the alignment rack and set everything up at the height I normally run the truck (slightly raked towards the front). After setting it up I lowered the truck all the way to the bump stops and raised it as high as the bags would lift it and it did not change any of the measurements. It blew me out of the water because I would have bet a paycheck that it would have changed.

mkirsch wrote:
You still need to adjust the WDH so the front end is returned to whatever the unloaded ride height is before you hitch up. Re-measure the unloaded ride height after installing the leveling kit, and use that number to adjust your WDH.

It probably won't take much, if any, adjustment if it was properly adjusted before.

That is what I noticed on my last truck, it was probably less than an inch difference from front to rear. Had the leveling kit before the trailer on that one, figured I'd ask since I haven't gotten one on the new truck yet.

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
With the loaded rear squat, plus the raised front, the caster angle is changed, as compared to stock height front and unloaded rear. As caster angle changes, steering is affected.

You should have the front end realigned after the lift is put in, and with weight loaded in the rear.

Alignment is a standard part of the install and is included with the cost.

You still need to adjust the WDH so the front end is returned to whatever the unloaded ride height is before you hitch up. Re-measure the unloaded ride height after installing the leveling kit, and use that number to adjust your WDH.

It probably won't take much, if any, adjustment if it was properly adjusted before.

With the loaded rear squat, plus the raised front, the caster angle is changed, as compared to stock height front and unloaded rear. As caster angle changes, steering is affected.

You should have the front end realigned after the lift is put in, and with weight loaded in the rear.